NEWSWIRE

Canada u19 vs. PNG u19

Canada will need wins in both their final games to sneak into the 2012 u19 Cricket World Cup after a devasting loss to Papua New Guinea on Saturday. Should things not go their way in the final two matches, Canada will look back at today's game as well as the game against Kenya as ones that got away when they shouldnt have.

Despite losing the toss, Canada's openers raced out to a good start, putting on 49 runs in 8 overs for the opening wicket. From there it was the Nitish Kumar show as the stylish batsmen, coming in at 3, put up a tournament best 150, to pace Canada to 261. Despite the good start, the tail did not wag as hoped and Canada were a few runs short.

While nobody after Kumar reached double figures, Canada were well positioned when the bowlers raced out quickly, picking up 3 quick wickets as PNG are 13-3 in 3 overs. From there it was all Christopher Kent as he managed the strike beautifully, protecting his lesser partners when he needed to and letting them have a go when they could. The drama raged until the final over where Kent remarkably stood on the non-strikers end whe nthe winning runs were hit.

Canada's equation is simple, win against both the USA and Afghanistan and they should qualify. Scotland and hosts Ireland are through as well as Nepal, where Vanuatu and Kenya are out. Three spot, 5 teams, 2 will go home devastated.